Our Board
Chair
Mike Harris
Mike Harris is a Consultant Psychiatrist who has spent most of his working life in Nottingham as a general psychiatrist, a forensic psychiatrist, medical and operational director and chief executive.
He has been chair of Improving Lives since it was formed as a charity in 2012 and has previously been chair of Nottingham Mind.
Mike is also a trustee of the Lucy Faithfull Foundation and a trustee and non executive director of St. Andrews Healthcare.
Trustee
Ben Staples
Ben first got involved with Improving Lives while studying Psychology at Nottingham Trent University. He went from volunteer, to support worker, before leaving to London to begin a career in Human Resources.
Ben really enjoyed his time working with Improving Lives; “the staff all do wonderful work and the service users were all great to work with too”. In fact, Ben enjoyed it all so much that he couldn’t help coming back as a board member.
Trustee
Ola Junaid
Ola has lived in Nottingham since 1987. He has been in his current post as a consultant psychiatrist at Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust since 1993.
With 2 school age children there is very little free time but he does regularly play tennis with enthusiasm rather than skill.
Trustee
Laura Pinkey
Laura is the Head of Nottingham Law School Legal Advice Centre. The Centre provides legal advice on a range of areas including employment, welfare benefits, family, special educational needs and disability, criminal, business, and commercial.
Laura is also a member of Nottingham Law School’s Senior Management Team. Laura was previously a partner at national law firm, Cartwright King, and has over 15 years of experience as a criminal defence solicitor specialising in fraud and confiscation and has represented clients before the Mental Health Review Tribunal. Laura is also a Council Member and former President of Nottinghamshire Law Society.
Trustee
Sue Kernahan
Sue Kernahan was born in Nottingham and trained as a Nurse. Sue went on to develop a career in Commercial Healthcare, where she held Sales, Marketing , Director and Managing Director roles. Sue is currently a Governor at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and is trained as a Mindfulness Teacher. Sue started volunteering for Improving Lives in 2017.
“I love working with the Improving Lives Team and feel very proud to be on the board. I see the difference that the Improving Lives Team make to the quality of life and wellbeing for so many people. I want to be part of that.”
Trustee
Ruth Hawkins
Ruth joined the Improving Lives Board in August 2020. She retired in 2018 after almost 40 years working in the public sector, predominantly in finance in the NHS.
She was a Director of Finance in NHS organisations across Nottinghamshire for over 20 years and was Chief Executive of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for 4 years until her retirement.